A-level
ENGLISH LITERATURE A
AQA A-level English Literature A Paper 2A Texts in
shared contexts: WW1 and its aftermath (7712/2A) 2026
Materials
For this paper you must have:
• an AQA 12-page answer book
• a copy of the Insert for use with Section B (enclosed)
• a copy of each of the set texts you have studied for this paper. These texts must not be annotated
and must not contain additional notes or materials.
Instructions
• Use black ink or black ball-point pen.
• Write the information required on the front of your answer book. The Paper Reference is 7712/2A.
• Read all of the questions. Then choose either Option 1 or Option 2 or Option 3. Answer one
question from Section A and both questions from Section B from your chosen option. You must
answer questions from only one option.
• Do all rough work in your answer book. Cross through any work you do not want to be marked.
Information
• The marks for questions are shown in brackets.
• The maximum mark for this paper is 75.
• You will be marked on your ability to:
– use good English
– organise information clearly
– use specialist vocabulary where appropriate.
• In your response you need to:
– analyse carefully the writers’ methods
– explore the contexts of the texts you are writing about
– explore connections across the texts you have studied
– explore different interpretations of your texts.
7712/2A
, 2
Option 1
Section A: Poetry Set Text
Answer one question in this section.
Up the Line to Death – ed. Brian Gardner
Either
0 1 Examine the view that poems about combat in this anthology express despair rather
than anger.
You must write about at least two poems in your answer.
[25 marks]
or
0 2 ‘Soldiers go to war with strong values and beliefs.’
In the light of this view, examine the presentation of strong values and beliefs in Up the
Line to Death.
You must write about at least two poems in your answer.
[25 marks]
Scars Upon My Heart – ed. Catherine Reilly
or
0 3 Examine the significance of memory in this anthology.
You must write about at least two poems in your answer.
[25 marks]
or
0 4 ‘In this anthology, the war is presented as strengthening women more than causing them
to suffer.’
Examine this view.
You must write about at least two poems in your answer.
[25 marks]
ENGLISH LITERATURE A
AQA A-level English Literature A Paper 2A Texts in
shared contexts: WW1 and its aftermath (7712/2A) 2026
Materials
For this paper you must have:
• an AQA 12-page answer book
• a copy of the Insert for use with Section B (enclosed)
• a copy of each of the set texts you have studied for this paper. These texts must not be annotated
and must not contain additional notes or materials.
Instructions
• Use black ink or black ball-point pen.
• Write the information required on the front of your answer book. The Paper Reference is 7712/2A.
• Read all of the questions. Then choose either Option 1 or Option 2 or Option 3. Answer one
question from Section A and both questions from Section B from your chosen option. You must
answer questions from only one option.
• Do all rough work in your answer book. Cross through any work you do not want to be marked.
Information
• The marks for questions are shown in brackets.
• The maximum mark for this paper is 75.
• You will be marked on your ability to:
– use good English
– organise information clearly
– use specialist vocabulary where appropriate.
• In your response you need to:
– analyse carefully the writers’ methods
– explore the contexts of the texts you are writing about
– explore connections across the texts you have studied
– explore different interpretations of your texts.
7712/2A
, 2
Option 1
Section A: Poetry Set Text
Answer one question in this section.
Up the Line to Death – ed. Brian Gardner
Either
0 1 Examine the view that poems about combat in this anthology express despair rather
than anger.
You must write about at least two poems in your answer.
[25 marks]
or
0 2 ‘Soldiers go to war with strong values and beliefs.’
In the light of this view, examine the presentation of strong values and beliefs in Up the
Line to Death.
You must write about at least two poems in your answer.
[25 marks]
Scars Upon My Heart – ed. Catherine Reilly
or
0 3 Examine the significance of memory in this anthology.
You must write about at least two poems in your answer.
[25 marks]
or
0 4 ‘In this anthology, the war is presented as strengthening women more than causing them
to suffer.’
Examine this view.
You must write about at least two poems in your answer.
[25 marks]
